Joanna held a microphone in her hand as she sat down on a stool in the middle of the stage. Intermission was now over, as a bright light was shone on her and her alone. Joanna slowly smiled, seeing the arena filled with their fans.

She swallowed, before bring the mic up.

"Hello, guys. I'm sure y'all know me, but I'm Joanna. As you all know, just a few weeks ago I was jumped at a concert in Florida." Joanna started, sighing softly, "I was told that I should press charges, but I realized something. Only God could truly change their hearts and minds. While I pray that they open their hearts to Christ, I thought of something. People change; sometimes for the better or the worse. So, I've been practicing for this solo. It's not my own song, but Joel and Luke wrote this before I was apart of this awesome band. Here's People Change."

Joanna looked down, tapping the heel of her boot against the stool as the song started. While the song was slow and seemed sad, she loved it.

Wanna tell you that I'm alright, wanna tell you that I'm not in pain. But I would just be telling lies; I'm not okay. I'm not okay.

Wanna travel back in time, say the things I didn't say. I wanna tell you everything if it's not too late. Is it too late?

Will you be there if I call? Will you leave me in the rain? If I say it's all my fault; will you still walk away? I understand if you're afraid, but people change. People change.

~*~*~

Joel, Benjamin and Timmy sat in the front of the bus, laughing and playing Mario Kart. Luke, Mark and Blake were playing cards, as Stephen laid in his bunk and scrolled through his phone.

Joanna, however, cried softly in her bunk. She was reading through the tweets on her solo, which happened to be hateful. It seemed as more and more people wanted her out of the band; that she deserved to be jumped, that she was a horrible person with an awful voice and was in no way a Christian.

It hurt her heart, knowing that people didn't believe in the love she had for her savior. Then again, her mind was started to doubt everything she ever believed in, yet her heart held onto the hope.

Hope is what we crave... those words stayed her mind. It's written on our soul, hope is what we crave.

Joel looked down, hearing his phone go off. He quickly paused the game, listening to Ben and Timmy whine and groan.

Joel sighed as he opened up his personal twitter; seeing a hateful tweet.

"Joanna didn't do well on her solo.... wish she wasn't a part of the band. @forkingandcountry @joelsmallbone @joanna.fkac"

"What's up?" Luke asked his brother, hearing him sigh and watching as his older brother rubbed his forehead.

Joel just exhaled, and shook his head. He quickly locked his phone again, and began playing with his silver wedding band.

"Jo's been getting hated on online. She hasn't said a thing about it, and it's worrying me," Joel expressed.

Benjamin shrugged, "She hasn't said a thing to me."

Luke, Timmy, Mark and Blake just shook their heads; she hadn't said a word to them about. Then Mark spoke up.

"C'mon, we all know Joanna Mercy. She wouldn't want us worrying. That's just how she is." Mark explained.

They nodded, knowing he was correct. Joel mumbled something under his breath as he sat his phone down, something that the others didn't catch.

"Maybe we should talk to her?" Luke suggested, laying down his cards; to where Mark and Blake couldn't see. Timmy shook his head.

"You know she won't talk to all of us." Timmy stated, crossing his arms.

"Then I'll do it," Luke offered.

Joel shrugged, "Go for it. She'll talk to you, for sure."

~*~*~

Late that night, they all went to a Walmart, being like rambunctious teenagers again.

Joanna laughed and whooped while Joel ran around with her on his back. Luke, Timmy, Mark, Benjamin, and Blake happily followed the two, only Stephen was slugging behind since he just woken up.

"Have you done this before? Before you even met us?" Mark asked, looking over as Joanna shut up for a few moments.

She grinned and nodded, "I was a little rebellious. Way before I let Jesus in my heart." Joanna explained.

They all nodded as Joel let Joanna off his back. She grinned, gently punching his shoulder.

"Little butt," Joel grumbled.

"You love me," she smiled sweetly.

Joel rolled his eyes, and headed off again. Everyone following him, but Luke. Once Joanna noticed, she stay behind him. Just as she went to speak, Luke did.

"Can we talk?" Luke asked.

Joanna nodded and crossed her arms, "Sure. Is something wrong?"

Luke sighed, "Jo, we know about the hate. You don't have to hide it from us."

Joanna bit her lip, and her eyes already welling up with tears. "It hurts. It really hurts, Luke."

Luke said nothing, hugging the woman and comforting her. Joanna stayed in the hug, her arms around his torso and crying into his shoulder.

"You're worth more than you believe. We all love you, and the band would be nothing without you." Luke whispered, gently rubbing her back.

Joanna sniffled and shook her head, "I've thought about quitting. The fans don't like me that much."

A/N

Hello everyone, I am returning! Sort of a short chapter, but here we go! I might update more tonight, and the new section of this book is starting, then I'll publish Limitless! And I'm excited.

Anyway, vote and comment!

-xxBabyxxGirlxx😘✌🏻